More use half-price yard debris disposal

KTVZ.COM news sources

POSTED: 8:54 AM PST November 15, 2012

BEND, Ore. -

Despite dropping temperatures over the last couple of weeks, residents in the Bend area took advantage of the Half Price Yard Debris Sale and delivered 6,241 cubic yards of flammable yard waste to Deschutes Recycling, a 15% increase over last year.

In partnership with the FireFree program, Deschutes Recycling offers the Half Price event to encourage residents to recycle yard waste instead of risking an escaped debris fire by burning it.

“Fire season continued well into October this year and even with the fall showers we experienced, vegetation remained very dry and susceptible to rapid fire spread,” says Katie Lighthall, Program Director for the FireFree program. “The Fall Half Price Sale gives residents a terrific alternative to dispose of their flammable yard waste without burning,” adds Lighthall.

From October 29th through November 10th local residents continued with their defensible space projects by cleaning up pine needles, brush and tree limbs from around homes to help prepare their properties for wildfire next season.

FireFree is a year-round effort to educate community members and increase resident participation in preparing for wildfires. Residents are encouraged to visit www.FireFree.org for more information about defensible space, reducing the structural vulnerability of homes and getting prepared for fire season.

For more information about FireFree activities in your area, call your local fire department or Project Wildfire at 541-382-7129